In a pointed appeal to Singapore’s authorities, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and CIVICUS have implored the government to drop charges against a group of activists facing prosecution for their involvement in peaceful assemblies. These gatherings were designed to advocate for the rights of Palestinians in Gaza and to challenge the city-state’s use of the death penalty. The activists, including Elijah Tay, Kyal Sin Linn Naing, Dayana Noor Mohamed, Nur Sabrina Kamel, Nurul Afiqah Kamel, and Amirah Binti Mokhlis, were charged on September 9 under multiple legal provisions, such as the Public Order Act and the Protection from Harassment Act according to JURIST.
Previously, on September 7, well-known activist Jolovan Wham faced charges for organizing public assemblies outside the State Court and participating in candlelight vigils for individuals facing execution. His legal battles have drawn considerable attention from human rights organizations, who describe these legal actions as a continuation of judicial harassment aimed at suppressing dissent.
The gatherings that led to these legal actions included symbolic acts such as delivering a letter to the Presidential Palace, flying a kite, and conducting a “shoe memorial” for Palestinians killed in Gaza. Candlelight vigils were also held outside Changi Prison to protest upcoming executions. Allegedly, all these activities took place without securing the necessary permits.
Singapore requires extensive permissions for public assemblies and processions under its broadly defined Public Order Act, where even small gatherings necessitate police authorization. This framework has been criticized for limiting freedom of expression. In line with this, as reported by Reuters, human rights activists argue that law frameworks like the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act are used to suppress free speech, creating a climate that stanches public opposition to government policies, including the death penalty.
The stance on executions in Singapore has attracted global attention, particularly following cases involving individuals with intellectual disabilities, such as the 2022 execution of Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam. Global condemnation followed as activists and legal experts argued his lack of mental capacity invalidated the charges against him.
Human rights organizations urge Singapore to reconsider the sweeping scope of laws that curtail freedom of expression and assembly, echoing principles laid out in international agreements like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Their appeals underscore the broader narrative of demanding governmental reform to safeguard civil liberties as discussed by the BBC.